Agenda item

Officers will give an update on developments with Franklyn Fields.

Grant Butterworth – Head of Planning and Martin Fletcher – Head of Highways were both present at the meeting to give an update on the Franklyn Fields site.

·         It was reported that Morris Homes would at some stage be submitting a formal planning application, however as this had not yet been received it was noted that Officers would not be able to provide firm details on the proposals until an application had been submitted.

·         The Planning department advised that residents’ concerns should be submitted following the formal submission of a planning application made by Morris Homes.

·         Grant noted that once the application was received, information such as letters would be delivered in the area as to what was being proposed in line with normal planning consultation requirements. Councillor Clarke confirmed that it would be heavily publicised to raise awareness of the application once it had been submitted.

Residents’ concerns:

·         A petition was submitted against the development of the site whereby residents stressed its value as green space. It was queried whether the petition would ‘hold weight’. Grant explained these issues could be considered in determining any planning application. Councillor Porter noted that he considered the site’s future should be determined through the adoption of the forthcoming local plan.

·         Impact on education provision from the development and no reference in the plans – Grant explained that the education department would be consulted once an application was submitted and education contributions would be explored.

·         Further concerns from residents included; the development of access from Marsden Lane would lead to increased queueing on Lutterworth Road. Martin noted that a traffic impact assessment would need to be carried out as part of the planning application process.

·         A resident noted that details of anticipated Section 106 contributions were not available on the website. Grant would re-circulate the information with this action log. Following the meeting this information was provided and can be found at the end of this action log.

·         Impact on air quality – Councillor Porter commented air pollution was 10% worse due to the bus lane. He added that housing near to Soar Valley Way would be exposed to bad air quality. He further requested that data / statistics be produced to look at the impact of increasing traffic and any possible mitigations such as trees. Grant noted that policy in respect of air quality was part of the Council’s Core Strategy and an air quality management plan had been produced. Air quality impacts would be considered as part of any planning application. Martin added that the Soar Valley Way / Glen Hills Way was a key area for monitoring air quality. Improvement measures would cost millions of pounds and it was not possible to make the developers cover all these costs. He further noted that as yet it was not clear whether houses would be built near to Soar Valley Way.

·         Martin Fletcher gave a presentation on the Morris Homes ‘Access Road consultation’. It was noted that the Highway Development Control Team would make the necessary assessments once an application had been submitted however; it was the statutory role of the highway authority that actual considerations could only be made following an application.

·         Residents were informed by Morris Homes that they were going to have another exhibition/ consultation prior to them submitting a formal planning application and would still like this to happen. Councillors would feed this back and still request this to Morris Homes.

·         Martin noted that through the development process, improving situations would be anticipated with developers accommodating for this.

·         Councillor Clarke discussed that he was happy to take contact details of people who would like to discuss this further or for those residents who had further concerns. In addition, if residents had feedback forms they were advised to still submit them.